Millennium Pharmaceuticals Limited

Kevin R Leiby

Gillian A Kingsbury

Rachel E Meyers

Rosana Kapeller-Libermann

Mark Williamson

Laura A Rudolph-Owen

John Joseph Hunter

Kyle J MacBeth

Fong-Ying Tsai

Peter J Olandt

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of immune disorders, especially T helper lymphocyte-related disorders. In particular, the invention describes a gene known in the art, alternatively, as ST2, T1 and Fit-1, and referred to herein as the 103 gene. The 103 gene is disclosed herein to be differentially expressed in TH2 cells and not in TH1 cells. Further, the 103 gene product is demonstrated herein to be an important modulator of TH2 and TH2-like immune response both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, the 103 gene, its gene products and antibodies that specifically bind thereto can be used diagnostically or as targets for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of a variety of immune disorders. In this regard, the invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds for treatments of immune disorders, especially TH cell subpopulation-related disorders and including TH2 and TH2-like disorders (i.e., disorders associated with a TH2 or TH2-like mediated immune response) such as atopic conditions (e.g., allergy and asthma). Additionally, methods are provided for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of TH cell subpopulation related disorders, for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions, for monitoring patients undergoing clinical evaluation for the treatment of such disorders and for monitoring the efficacy of compounds used in clinical trials.

Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of immune disorders

The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 33877, 47179, 26886, 25552, 32132, 32244, 23680, 32624, 47174, 60491, 46743, 27417, 27960, 32252, and 53320 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel human transferase family members. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 33877, 47179, 26886, 25552, 32132, 32244, 23680, 32624, 47174, 60491, 46743, 27417, 27960, 32252, or 53320 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a 33877, 47179, 26886, 25552, 32132, 32244, 23680, 32624, 47174, 60491, 46743, 27417, 27960, 32252, or 53320 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 33877, 47179, 26886, 25552, 32132, 32244, 23680, 32624, 47174, 60491, 46743, 27417, 27960, 32252, or 53320 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-33877, 47179, 26886, 25552, 32132, 32244, 23680, 32624, 47174, 60491, 46743, 27417, 27960, 32252, or 53320 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Human transferase family members and uses thereof

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of immune disorders, especially T helper lymphocyte-related disorders. In particular, the invention provides a nucleotide sequence which encodes a previously unknown human 103 gene product. The invention also provides expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. The invention still further provides isolated polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides and antibodies.

Nucleic acid molecules encoding a 103 gene product and uses therefor

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San Fransisco, CA, United States of America

Kevin R Leiby